Texas Rangers Blog

TORONTO – While the Rangers continue to stay quiet on the trade front, the rumor-mongering never goes silent.

Here’s the latest:

According to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Rangers remain the leading contender. Center wrote this morning:

The Texas Rangers still seem to have the inside track with left-handed Double-A starter one of the players mentioned in a package for Bell. But the Cardinals interest in Bell is growing. The Phillies and Angels are also in the running, although sources say the Angels don’t have the right high prospects to get Bell.

According to a tweet citing the Padres’ flagship station, XX1090, the Padres are seeking LHP Derek Holland and SS Jurickson Profar.

I can tell you this: The Rangers might deal Holland for the right piece, but there is nobody on the market this summer that would cause them to seriously consider trading Profar. At 18 years old, he is as untouchable a player as the Rangers have had in a long, long time.

The Padres did scout LHP Robbie Erlin earlier this week, as we reported, and it seems the Rangers may have to part with a left-handed pitcher – either, Holland, Martin Perez or Erlin – to complete a deal.

JeffPassan of Yahoo! Sports tweets the following: Sources: While the Rangers remain favorites for Heath Bell, they’re at a standstill with the Padres as far as which prospects trade. San Diego understands it’s not getting Jurickson Profar, Martin Perez or Leonys Martin. Still haggling over second-tier guys.